Pfizer launches drug to help people quit smoking

NEW DELHI: Aiming to consolidate product portfolio in the Indian market, global pharma giant Pfizer on Thursday said it will introduce 2-3 more products in the country during the current year.

The company today announced the launch of 'Champix', a Varenicline-based drug, used to help people quit smoking.

"Besides Champix, we plan to introduce 2-3 more products here in this year. Out of which, one will be an anti-infective, while the other will be for cardio-vascular patients," Pfizer Ltd (India) Managing Director Kewal Handa told reporters here.

He, however, declined to divulge further details about the products' launch in the country.

Champix would be available through only physician's prescription in 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets and would be prescribed for a 12-week period, which costs Rs 9,500.

"The new drug, a non-nicotine smoking cessation, is considered as superior to nicotine replacement theory (NRT). The Champix, that is launched in India, is imported from Germany," he said.

The company plans to target 600 clinics in the next three months in 17 cities. "In the first phase, we will target 600 clinics in 17 cities. In one year, we aim to reach 1,000 clinics across the country," Handa said.

The anti-smoking drug Champix was launched in the US in September 2006, and till date it has clocked sales of one billion dollar, Handa said.

However, there were reports of possible links of suicidal attempts and other psychiatric problems after taking the drug in the US.

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